Hi Rosa, Meloni’s election victory is now three weeks ago. Is there any prospect of a cabinet yet?
‘Yes and no. Behind the scenes, the right-wing parties are busy negotiating. But the formal step towards a government – which the president instructs to form a government – has not yet been taken.
‘In Italy this is a complicated procedure. Last week the new parliament met for the first time since the elections and the presidents of both the House and Senate were elected. The vice-presidents of parliament have yet to be elected next Wednesday. After that, all party leaders visit the president. And only then does the president instruct someone to form a government. It is expected that Giorgia Meloni will be.
“It doesn’t mean that nothing is happening in the meantime. Meloni, Salvini and Berlusconi, who want to form a government together, are negotiating vigorously. It crackles nicely.’
Those negotiations were further sharpened last week by ‘Berlusconi’s note’. How about that?
Berlusconi had his large print, offensive notes about Meloni photographed in the Senate last Thursday. Accidentally, you might think, but I don’t believe in that. Berlusconi has enough experience to do such a thing on purpose. Meloni would be arrogant, disrespectful and too dominant: it was a long list.
“The story behind that insult goes back further. In the negotiations on the ministerial posts, Berlusconi would like a place for Licia Ronzulli, a loyal follower of his. She also helped with Berlusconi’s infamous bunga bunga parties. But Meloni doesn’t want Ronzulli to become a minister. According to the Italian press, she has vetoed it. That would also be the reason why most of Berlusconi’s party did not vote for Meloni’s candidate in Thursday’s presidential election.
Meloni responded to the note on Friday evening. According to her, one point was missing from Berlusconi’s list, namely that she cannot be blackmailed.’
Berlusconi’s party lost a lot in the elections, going from 14 to 8 percent of the vote. On what basis does Berlusconi claim these ministerial posts?
‘That is a good question. It is strange that he has such a set of demands, but Meloni and Salvini do need him: without him they have no majority. Berlusconi is by far the best fit for them ideologically.
‘Personal matters will also play a role in the negotiations. Berlusconi is a veteran of Italian politics. Meloni was still a minister under him. It will not be easy for Berlusconi to accept that a woman forty years his junior is his boss.’
Is Salvini still a sleeper?
‘Certainly, it won’t be easy for Meloni. She also had a clash with Salvini about ministerial posts. Meloni wants to reinstate the current Minister of Economic Development, Giancarlo Giorgetti, but Salvini has his doubts. Giorgetti may come from the same party as Salvini, but within that party he is considered his rival.
‘Now Meloni’s focus is on Berlusconi, but you can be sure that Salvini is thinking about how he can make his money there. When Meloni Berlusconi calms down, she’ll probably have to put out the next fire again.’
Are there any other issues the parties are debating? Or is the content of secondary importance?
‘No, it’s really about the figures and the balance of power. For example, Berlusconi is not only concerned with getting Ronzulli to a certain ministerial post, but also with the number of ministers he gets in total. Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia now supplies the Senate President, Salvini’s Lega de Chamber President. Berlusconi didn’t get anything last week.’
How long will this formation last?
‘That’s hard to say. It can also go quickly. Yesterday Meloni and Berlusconi had each other on the phone, today they see each other. Berlusconi is known for always meeting in one of his own villas, but today’s meeting takes place at Fratelli d’Italia’s office. That’s a sign that Meloni doesn’t intend to budge. Berlusconi will therefore have to relent.’